Features of the POSA Asana Travel mat series
POSA Asana Travel mats are the perfect compact mats for yoga and fitness. The absorbent surface is made of polycotton, which is a combination of polyester and cotton in a unique ratio. The cotton provides a pleasant tactile sensation, and the synthetic fibers increase durability by preventing the fabric from fraying, stretching, and pilling during even the most intense practice. Asana Travel mats are great for hot and sweaty practices like Bikram and hot yoga because it's so easy to take care of them. You can use these mats on their own or place them on top of a thicker one, such as a shared community mat. This lets you use your personal mat during group sessions while not needing to carry a bulky yoga bag as well. These mats are perfect for traveling and can even be used in place of a beach towel.
Surface features
The highlight of this series is the grip which starts working when your palms have warmed up. The mat's polycotton surface absorbs a large amount of sweat and prevents slippage even when you're sweating heavily during Bikram or hot yoga sessions, for example. The grip even works with cold, dry hands thanks to the fabric's special polymer treatment. For a more secure grip we recommend warming your palms before practice by rubbing them together.
What type of yoga is it made for?
POSA Asana Travel mats are great for any type of yoga. They are highly recommended for practices like ashtanga, vinyasa flow, Bikram, and hot yoga. Professionals will appreciate the chance to feel the floor while practicing on a thin mat with a fabric surface. Mats from this series work well for gymnastics of any intensity.
In what situations do we not recommend this type of mat?
If your palms never warm up and they stay cold and dry, but you prefer when your mat holds you during downward dog instead of your muscles, then we recommend checking out our other series: Align, NonSlip Pro, and NonSlip Travel. We recommend those with sensitive joints to use thin mats as a topper for a thicker mat.
Easy to carry around
Not only can you roll up 2 mm thick mats, but you can also fold them up like a towel. In that format they'll fit in a bag or backback. You can use these mats on their own or place them on top of a thicker one, such as a shared community mat. Now you won't need a separate specialized bag to practice yoga on your own mat.
Mat size for POSA Asana Travel is 183x61 cm
This size was chosen based on the average size of an adult of European descent (177 cm for men and 169 cm for women). These dimensions provide the ideal amount of comfort during workouts while allowing us to keep the mat's weight to a minimum.
Mat weight is 1600 grams
This ultra-lightweight mat is easy to carry to the yoga studio or the outdoors.
Polycotton surface
The surface prevents the mat from stretching out of shape and makes it safe to execute asanas that require you to spread your feet wide. It also extends the useful life of the mat by preventing rips. Mats without reinforcing webbing are not appropriate for yoga. None of the POSA mats, including the Asana Travel series, stretch out during practice.
POSA Asana Travel mats are non-toxic and hypoallergenic
They don't give off any pungent substances or gases while practicing in the heat, and also don't trigger allergies or irritate the skin.
Easy mat care
Since the base is made of natural rubber and has a shaggy surface, the mat requires timely and regular cleaning, especially if you sweat heavily during practice. Due to being so thin, the mat is very easy to care for. You can rinse it off under the shower or in the washing machine and dry it out on a clothes hanger.
What's the difference between POSA Asana Travel mats and comparable mats with a microfiber surface?
The most important difference is the grip with the hands. POSA's mat manufacturing process uses polycotton--a mix of polyester and cotton. This type of surface combines all the advantages of natural fabric and the durability of synthetic fabric. When it comes into contact with your skin, polycotton resembles synthetic chamois leather. Polycotton mats provide moderate grip for cold palms and excellent grip for warm palms. On similar mats with a microfiber surface, your palms will slip until they begin sweating, or until you've soaked the surface through. In contrast to synthetic microfiber surfaces, polycotton surfaces build up significantly less static electricity from contact with hair and clothing and attract noticeably less dust.
What's the difference between Asana Travel 2 mm and comparable 1 mm mats?
The biggest difference is in the shock absorption. The shock absorption for 2 mm thick mats is six times higher than for 1 mm thick mats. And they're just as compact. That's why it's not just professionals that can practice on this mat. In addition, a 2 mm mat will last you much longer than a 1 mm mat.
What's the difference between POSA Asana Travel 2 mm mats and comparable 3-4 mm mats?
The most important tangible difference is the weight. A POSA Asana Travel 2 mm mat weighs 1600 g. while a 3-4 mm mat with a rubber base weighs between 2100-2700 g. Based on reviews from the professional community within POSA's customer base, the difference in shock absorption between 2 mm and 3 mm is imperceptible. There is a difference between 2 mm and 4 mm, but it's not drastic. Bottom line: POSA Asana Travel mats are lighter, easier to clean, more hygienic, and only slightly underperform when it comes to shock absorption as compared to similar mats that are 3-4 mm thick.
Gorgeous POSA design
Yoga practice is not just physical work, but energetic work as well. We place a lot of emphasis on our design. The lineup of bold, modern prints allows you to pay attention to yourself. The calming prints will highlight your own elegance. Your sessions will bring you aesthetic pleasure, while your mat will become a new source of strength, where energy is expanded and health is fortified.
Safety measures
Follow these simple guidelines to extend the useful life of your mat and make your practice more comfortable:
- Wash your hands and feet before practice to remove the oil from your skin.
- Don't use hand creams or lotions before practice. Creams with silicon-based additives can make your skin slippery for up to 72 hours.
- Always roll your mat with the top layer facing out, otherwise the corners will begin to curl up and the surface will deteriorate.
- Only fold your mat like a towel in order to transport it around. In order to extend its useful life, do not permanently store your mat in this state.
- Don't wear shoes during practice. Clean, soft-soled shoes are permitted.
- Choose a level space for your practice. Uneven spots may damage the mat's base and cause injury during a failed attempt to exit an asana.
- Don't use soap or other agents meant for cleaning your body. They will establish an oily film. Use only a highly diluted dish detergent or laundry powder.
- The ideal temperature for washing is 30°C. You can wash your mat in the washing machine using the synthetic or hand wash cycles.
- Keep your mat away from the claws of animals.
- Keep your mat away from heating elements.
You can find a detailed description of the other POSA mat series on the "Series features" pages within the catalogue of each corresponding series: POSA Align, NonSlip Pro, and NonSlip Travel. If you are finding it difficult to pick the right mat, please look over our series selection guide.